It's been less than a year since R.W. Grand Master Gardner announced to the membership the new Statewide Minimum Ritualistic Standard for Pennsylvania Masons. District Deputy Grand Masters had been informed a year prior to this initiative and many began working with their lodges immediately.

For some lodges, this "new" requirement wasn't so new after all. "Our district welcomes the adoption of the statewide minimum ritualistic standards," said Bro. William L. Kingsbury, District Deputy Grand Master for District C. "Ritualistic proficiency of lodge officers has been in the culture of District C for many years, long before my appointment as District Deputy. In most cases, our lodges have self-imposed even stricter requirements."

Others, however, had quite a bit of work to do. According to Bro. William H. Brandt, Sr., District Deputy Grand Master for the 12th District, many Past Masters remained in their chairs because other brethren in their lodge had not learned the ritual. And while the initiative took off rather slowly, he now boasts that his district's lodges have increased their qualifications by 75 percent. In fact, Bro. Brandt has implemented an even more stringent policy than the Grand Master's, requiring that brethren know the degree in each chair before being elected to that post. The district has been fortunate that some new young men joining the fraternity have gotten involved and learned the work in order to advance in the chairs. "One-on-one instruction is the key," he said.

Bro. Brandt admits that more than one brother has raised the question, "Why do I have to know this now?" His answer is simple. "If no one knows the work, there will be no work to learn and we'll lose the fraternity. It's what sets us apart. Without it, we could be like any other fraternal organization in the community, but we're not just a fraternal organization - we're Freemasons."

As of the end of September, the Unity Box and Gavel had traveled more than 12,000 miles. Be sure not to miss YOUR turn to share this experience with your fellow brethren across the Commonwealth!

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